Newcastle United face Barcelona in a Champions League last-16 tie that evokes memories of their famous 1997 victory over the Spanish giants. Head coach Eddie Howe has challenged his players to create their own legendary moment at St James' Park on Tuesday night, exactly 28 years after Tino Asprilla's hat-trick stunned the Catalan club.

The 1997 match saw Newcastle defeat Barcelona 3-2 in the old group phase, with Asprilla scoring three times and Keith Gillespie providing key assists. Howe, who was playing for Bournemouth at the time, watched the game on terrestrial television and described it as 'one of those legendary games.' The current Newcastle manager wants his players to be remembered similarly in 20, 30, or 40 years' time.

This season's teams met previously in the league phase, with Barcelona winning 2-1 at St James' Park in September. Howe took positives from that defeat and has called this rematch the 'biggest game' in Newcastle's recent history. The Magpies are chasing their first-ever Champions League quarter-final appearance, with Howe emphasizing the importance of seizing this rare opportunity. 'You never know what life brings tomorrow,' he said, urging his team not to waste their chance against one of Europe's elite clubs.